Member of Sigma Alpha Delta Since: 2007 – 2008 Baruch College Date of Graduation: Spring 2008 Major: Finance Motto: “Carpe Diem” – Seize the day – try to maximize the worth of every opportunity you receive.

Being offered a full-time role as an Assistant Financial Advisor was the culmination of a long-awaited dream for this vaunted Sigma Alumnus. His dreams of working within the financial markets had been an irrevocable infatuation since the age of 13. What could possess a teenager to possess such a determined career goal when others twice his age remain uncertain of their own career paths? Conviction. Devin’s conviction and passion for finance is only trumped by his zeal for life. When he was 13 years old, his parents journeyed with him to the New York Stock Exchange. The disquieting mayhem coupled with the accelerated adrenaline levels of the anxious stock brokers was alluring. While others his age would label this experience as harrowing and intimidating, Devin saw it as a challenge. His persona is a tribute to the classical child character Tom Sawyer, a fervent attraction for adventure and challenge. Therefore, it is no surprise he abandoned the more secure routes of medical and law school in order to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional in the realm of finance.

With a newly discovered career path, he heightened his focus during classes and was admitted to Stuyvesant High School—the most revered Public High School in New York City. His unquenchable thirst for Finance served as a motivational tool and he studied his way into the CUNY Honors Program in Baruch College. His first three years in Baruch were within the boundaries of normalcy and ordinary—however his introduction to Sigma Alpha Delta paved the way for a profound directional shift in his life. Besides dealing with the dichotomy of studying for classes and attending parties, he was now a part of a movement—a Renaissance. His best friend, Sharday Sanchez was a prospective member of Sigma Alpha Delta during the Fall 2007 semester. He followed her to one of her Alumni Committee Meetings, and before he knew it, he was entranced by the charismatic and intoxicating personality of the Committee’s Chairman, Hosni Mubarak. After weeks of being pestered and solicited by Hosni, he decided to fully commit to the organization. It was one of the most prudent decisions of his life.

During his stay in the Alumni Committee, Devin’s talents were revealed. He was charismatic, diligent and possessed a unique knack for communication. In Sigma, he met peers who shared the same ideals, goals and interests, and therefore he was able to harness and evolve his natural abilities into something much more potent—leadership. Leadership has been the most irretrievable attribute Devin has claimed from Sigma. He was elected as the Volunteering Committee Chairperson in the Spring of 2008 and his leadership comprised of destroying and rebuilding the Committee’s previously flawed structure. Before his election, a Volunteering Chairperson was mandated to engineer and coordinate 8 or 9 volunteering events—but for many that is an uncompromising task. “Who can actually spearhead 8 or 9 volunteering events every year and still maintain any sign of sanity?” Devin exclaims. As all exemplary leaders, Devin found a resolution. His method was simple—delegate and follow through. He created positions within the Committee such as Project Manager and Events Manager which allowed his members a window for growth while alleviating his burdens. The concepts of Project Manager and Event Generator originated with Devin. “Project Managers spearhead the event all the way through, they contact the volunteering organizations, and keep the Chairperson abreast on the details. This sort of delegation unfetters the Volunteering Chairperson and allows him or her more time to sort through other important matters” Devin said at the time. Due to this efficient system, the Volunteering Committee conducted one of its most productive semesters in the history of Sigma Alpha Delta, producing a quantity of 10 events. “Volunteerism is the lifeblood of this organization—without it, what is the significance of being labeled an Honor Society? We would then be equivalent to academic snobs who are too important to volunteer and help out the community” Devin sniggers.

Being a formidable leader is not the only quality Devin has refined during his stay in Sigma. He was and is an exceptional communicator. A wealth of knowledge ranging from financials to sports paves an avenue for a wide variety of discourses.  These discourses translate into relationships—all of which Devin has found irreplaceable. “The three things I have discovered from Sigma have been my affinity for leadership, my knack for communication and the establishment of undying relationships with some of the most gifted people on earth. Yeah, those people are from Sigma. I’m more confident now. It’s like my motto, Carpe Diem, I see the world as an opportunity, and therefore I need to seize the opportunity.” Devin recalls.